School of Information Sciences students who are hired as Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs) play an integral role in the Wayne State University Libraries. There currently are eight GSAs working in various capacities throughout the library system and two GSAs working for the School of Information Sciences. 

This dynamic group of individuals was chosen from a large pool of applicants for their passion for the field of library and information science and their willingness to take on unique and challenging experiences.

Library System GSAs begin their role in Reference Services, learning the basic foundations of library service by working at university service desks before moving on to complete interest-specific projects that will help the GSAs prepare for their careers in the profession.

WSU Library System Graduate Student Assistants

Daniel Cichowlas

Expected degree(s): Master of Library and Information Science
Focus: Archival administration

What will you be doing as a GSA? Do you have a specific focus? Special projects planned? For now, I am still getting my bearings and figuring out where I'll fit as this is my first job within a library system. I want to focus on Archival Administration as I move through this program, so it would be nice to potentially work with the Reuther Library as labor history is a very interesting topic to me.

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? If we're talking dream job, then I would love to work with a film archive like the Criterion Collection. But if I've learned anything over the years, it is important to be flexible and open to different experiences which is why I appreciate this opportunity as a GSA. I would also be happy to work within special collections, community archives, and/or anything with an audiovisual component.

Where you worked/went to school before Wayne State: Years ago, I went to Grand Valley State University where I majored in Mass Communications with a focus on audiovisual post-production. Since graduation I have worked a lot of interesting gigs as a freelance editor ranging from non-profits dedicated to education in STEM to live events across Michigan.

Why you came to Wayne State: Years ago, I decided I needed to make a career shift which led to me looking at a lot of different options for graduate programs. I slowly narrowed my decision down to library science and archives as it felt like a perfect intersection of my personal interests and professional experiences. Wayne State's program stood out as the best choice as it was consistently recommended by people I talked to in the field.

What are three words that best describe you? Kind, intuitive and inquisitive

What's a fun fact about you many people may not know? I am an excellent cook and enjoy creative writing in my free time.  

Jillian Cole

Pronouns: she/her 
What will you be doing as a GSA? Currently I work a weekly shift at the Undergraduate Library and I’m also learning the ropes of reference chat.  

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job?  I’ll be content wherever I land as long as cataloging and metadata are involved! 

Where did you work/go to school before Wayne State? I worked as a copy editor for a marketing firm up until and through quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. After leaving that job, I worked freelance as a copy editor and also proofed audio books which was a new and fun experience for me. 

What are three words that best describe you? Adaptable, curious and ardent. 

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? I’m a huge sustainability nerd and I’m currently learning how to mend clothes using both visible and invisible stitching.  

What's your favorite part of working in libraries? I love introducing people to library resources they may not have known about before.

Aaron Hollatz

What will you be doing as a GSA? I am hoping to work on a digital curation project for the Walter Reuther Library. I had the pleasure of working with the staff at the Reuther in a previous position, and it would be very rewarding to be able to put my name on something over there.  

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? I will be looking for a job in museum and archival collections.  I also had the opportunity to curate a student exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum last Fall and that has left me with an interest in curation as well.  My dream job would be to work as an Oral Historian at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago, Illinois.  They do some really incredible work with their community there and it would be very fulfilling to be a part of.

Where did you work/go to school before Wayne State: I hail from the Chicagoland area originally. I graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2019 with a BA in History. During the pandemic, I worked as a waiter while saving up to return to school and attain an MLIS degree. I moved to Detroit in Fall 2022 to pursue my education full time, and I have loved getting to know my new home.

Why did you choose to come to Wayne State? I initially decided on Wayne State for my MLIS training because it offered a dual master's degree in library science and public history. I am deeply interested in using the knowledge and skills of the information profession to make history more accessible to the public. I also felt that Wayne offered me the best opportunity to pair my classroom learning with work experience in the WSU Library System. So, this position is really the end result of a lot of work and planning for me. It's great to finally be here!

What are three words that best describe you? Passionate, curious, dependable

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? I collect maps! I've had an interest in maps and mapmaking since I was a kid, and so I always try to bring home a map from the places I visit.

What's your favorite part of working in libraries?  So far, my favorite part has been assisting students at the Undergraduate Library.  Wayne State has a truly great and diverse student body, and I enjoy being able to assist people, so it has been fun to learn the ropes of the library system while serving others.

Luke Kurfess

What will you be doing as a GSA? Do you have a specific focus? Special projects planned? Besides providing reference services on online chat and at the UGL, I'm currently working on a new library guide that will talk about the history surrounding the 1954 globe in the Purdy Library. My current focus in the program is archival administration.

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job?I would really love to work in museum collections or an archive. I think museums, archives, and libraries are amazing resources that provide a lot of enrichment to people's lives. I would be happy to work with a historical collection, helping people connect with the past. I'm interested in community engagement side of things as well and hope to have that be a part of my future role. 

Where did you work/go to school before Wayne State? Before Wayne State I studied history and museum studies at the University of Michigan and worked as a docent at the Museum of Natural History there.

Why did you choose to come to Wayne State? I wanted the ability to add some technical skills and more practical experience to my toolset, and I appreciate the many opportunities for museum, archival and library work that Detroit offers.

What are three words that best describe you? Easy-going, open and friendly. I try to be an approachable person and enjoy getting to know new people.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? I'm very into music and play a few instruments myself! I can play French horn, standup bass/bass guitar and the mellophone. 

What's your favorite part of working in libraries? Being able to really help people learn something new, get a service or information they needed and really just connecting with others. I also love when I get to learn something new from visitors/patrons as well!

Rachael Monroe

Expected degree(s): Master of Library and Information Science
Focus: Library services

What will you be doing as a GSA? I will be working in the Neef Law Library. I am not sure yet what my specific purpose will be, but I am excited to see how I can apply my history in political science to this new opportunity. 

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? After graduation, I hope to be able to work somewhere in a law library. I am very passionate about politics and law, and I hope that I will be able to find a career that would allow me to continue to learn and grow in that field.

Where you worked/went to school before Wayne State: Before Wayne State, I attended Milan High School here in Michigan. I then completed my undergraduate degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio, where I majored in Political Science with a double minor in International Studies with a German focus and Russian / Central Eurasian studies. I have held a variety of jobs, including retail, office, and academic. 

Why you came to Wayne State: I have lived in Michigan my whole life, so Wayne State has always been in the back of my mind when it came to universities. When I moved closer to home, I was looking for graduate programs near me, and was delighted to discover that Wayne State has an excellent library science program.

What are three words that best describe you? Hardworking, sincere and insightful.

What's a fun fact about you many people may not know? I was once in the same room as Angela Merkel (former chancellor of Germany).

Madelynne Rivenbark

Expected degree(s): Master of Library and Information Science
Focus: Library services
Dream job: Music or theater curator in DC or a music librarian at a university.

What was your path to the field of library and information science? I majored in Entertainment, Design and Technology as an undergraduate. When the pandemic happened, I was fortunate enough to have received a library position as a youth paraprofessional. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school shortly after my undergraduate, and with my job, I found library science to be a unique opportunity to pursue that paired well with my previous studies.

What projects are you working on as a GSA? I work on many different projects. I create library research guides, aid in research projects and assist with workshops throughout the library. I often use my projects to make connections between students and the library. I am very communication oriented.

What advice would you give your fellow students? I have two pieces of advice for my fellow students: The first is to not be afraid of asking questions in classes. The second is to always give yourself enough time to read and never compare your reading speed to others.

Why did you choose Wayne State? I chose Wayne State because of the diverse student body and the user-centered library services curriculum.

What are three words that best describe you? Playful, resourceful and sociable.

What's a fun fact about you many people may not know? When I was a teenager, I auditioned for The Voice and made it through the second round of auditions.    

Noelle Wade

What will you be doing as a GSA? I would love to work on projects based in movies and other media. I particularly loved doing this kind of work during undergrad. In the departmental library I worked in I pulled the screening for the whole department for the week/semester and helped building the foundations of a special collection of promotional materials from a film critic based in Japan. I am currently building and refining a rule-based chatbot for the library website to help users navigate some pages easier. It is my first time doing something like this, but I am always happy to learn and expand my horizons. My hope for my GSA experience is that I can work on lots of things that I would've never been able to do before this. I'm excited to try new things and give it my all.

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? My hope with my degree is to continue fostering the magic I've found in all the libraries in my life. Going to the library with my mom is one of my earliest memories and I've loved them since then. I've worked in libraries since undergrad, and I want to keep working and supporting these vital community centers throughout my life. While I don't have a set plan for my degree, wherever I end up I hope to bring all of my passion with me. 

Where did you work/go to school before Wayne State? I have my undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor with a BA in Film, TV and Media Studies with a minor in Korean History and Culture. I worked in the Donald Hall Collections during my time there. It was the departmental library for the Film, TV and Media Studies department. I deeply enjoyed my time there and it lit the spark for me to pursue a MLIS degree.

Why did you choose to come to Wayne State? There are a few reasons why I chose Wayne State. First, former GSA Sarah Henry Boggs encouraged me to apply, and I had a lot of people around me really pushing me to go for the degree. Second, I grew up not too far from campus and I remember saying as a child that I always wanted to attend. Third, a few of my family members graduated from Wayne State, and I wanted to continue that legacy. 

What are three words that best describe you? Passionate, creative and ambitious (delivered straight from my loved one) 

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? A fun fact about me is that I am a twin!

What's your favorite part of working in libraries? My favorite part of working in libraries is that I can connect patrons to the resources that they need and potentially help someone feel comfortable using the services at the library. Sometimes these institutions can be intimidating for some folks, and I want to help make that moment just a little nicer for someone. I currently work in a public library doing circulation and my favorite part of that is how something as small as a hello can really brighten someone's day and bring them back to the library. It has happened to me before, so I try to carry that energy in everything I do working in libraries.

Lily Wiest

Expected degree(s): Master of Library and Information Science
Focus: Public Librarianship

What will you be doing as a GSA? I'll be starting with reference chat and time at the Undergraduate Library. I'm looking forward to working directly with student researchers. 

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? I hope to work in a public library. I'd love to focus on outreach, programming, and community education initiatives and exhibits. 

Where you worked/went to school before Wayne State: I graduated from Earlham College in 2018 with a degree in social sciences. I spent the last four years in direct service non-profit work, primarily focused on providing crisis resources for low-income families. 

Why you came to Wayne State: My family is originally from Detroit, so I have roots in the area. I also went to a very small undergrad, so I'm excited about having a totally different experience at an urban public school. And I love Wayne State's strong ties to labor history!

What are three words that best describe you? Curious, conscientious and caring.

What's a fun fact about you many people may not know? I love home renovation shows and I do a crossword puzzle every day. 

Diversity GSA for the School of Information Sciences

Tori Robinson

Expected degree(s): Master of Library and Information Science
Focus: Public Librarianship
Dream job: A children's librarian in the inner city where I can incorporate technology skills and bring amazing programming to the children to help them explore worlds near and far.

What was your path to librarianship? I asked a children's librarian how one gets to have such an amazing career and she simply stated that I needed my master's degree. From there I researched what accredited schools were near me, applied to WSU, and dived in right away by attending Future Librarians for Inclusivity and Diversity (FLID) meetings and applying for a job on campus as a student assistant.

What projects will you be working on as the Diversity GSA? I will connect with students as president of FLID and through outreach activities and by partnering with WSU Library System GSAs, student organizations and other programs on campus. I also will be working on a paper with SIS Assistant Professor Tim Bowman, and SIS alumni Amber Harrison and Katie Tapia-Lynch that will investigate the DEI statements of other ALA accredited schools and iSchools in hopes to help make the School of Information Sciences DEI statement an actionable one.

What do you hope to bring to your role as Diversity GSA? I hope to encourage the concept of windows and mirrors and provide a safe space for the SIS community to learn about the cultures and experiences of others without causing harm to others.

What advice would you give your fellow students? Time management and networking are important. This field is very welcoming, and many information professionals want to help students by sharing their support and experiences. Get involved with student organizations so you can connect with your peers and future colleagues. Lastly, give yourself grace. You are balancing life and that's okay. Remember you are a human being not a human doing.

Why did you choose Wayne State? After researching, I discovered WSU had an accredited online program which is perfect for balancing my life with work, school and children.

What are three words that best describe you? Optimistic, self-motivated and passionate.

What's a fun fact about you many people may not know? I am easy to talk to. People come up to me all the time and I welcome it. I don't mind being a safe space for others.

Technology GSAs for the School of Information Sciences 

Joshua Spaman

What type of work are you doing as a GSA? I assist students and faculty with software and tools used in SIS courses as well as a variety of administrative projects and updating the school's website.

What do you hope to do with your degree after graduation? What's your information dream job? Progressing through my courses and internship has made this a much harder question to answer, but I really enjoy the idea of being a technology coordinator or systems librarian. Another option would be to work as a GIS librarian.

Where did you work/go to school before Wayne State? Before this program I attended the College for Creative Studies studying photography and graphic design. I've had lot of different roles but currently work as a technology librarian intern.

Why did you choose to come to Wayne State? Besides being local, I heard many great things about the program from alumni and wanted to have a career that would work well alongside my passion for education and the arts.

What are three words that best describe you? Probably something along the lines of creative, quiet and peripatetic.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? Despite many people watching me write, it turns out almost nobody in my day-to-day like knows I'm left-handed.

What's your favorite part of working with the School of Information Sciences? Definitely the flexibility! I work full-time, so having the option to work when I'm able helps a lot with balancing both roles and school.